The only thing small in the room was the dinner plates. From fast laps around the track at M1 Concourse to the number of attendees, numbers of paddles raised, and number of dollars raised, the 34th Annual Everest Gala was a night of celebration. Many thanks to this year’s gala chairs, Mike & Crystal Golling and Andrew & Kristy Sasak.
The evening began with a friendly competition between Everest parent and coach Brandon Mulrenin and EC alumnus Luke Walker ’23 to sell the most die-cast cars. Luke won the crown. Game participants Amy Mulrenin and Mary McMahon claimed this year’s prizes of center-ice Red Wings tickets and a tankless water heater. Many thanks to Brandon and Luke as well as our game sponsors, AKA Architects and Carter’s Plumbing.
The evening’s emcee, Paul Glantz, led the room in recognizing this year’s distinguished service award recipients, Mr. Bob Menzies and Fr. Thomas Salazar, LC. From there, Everest’s favorite auctioneer, Wade Leist, led the room through an evening of entertainment and support for Everest’s mission. Fifteen hot live auction items and a generous paddle raise, coupled with the online silent auction, grand raffle, ticket sales, and sponsorship, made this year’s gala Everest’s most successful fundraiser to date.
Congratulations to this year’s grand raffle winners: Joy Kelly, Charles Smith, and Rae Ruddy.
Thank you to all attendees, donors, sponsors, and volunteers. Many thanks to this year’s presenting sponsor, Gainplan.
We look forward to celebrating our 35th anniversary at our gala next May.
Photos provided by Patrick Gloria.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.” -Proverbs 3:5-6
